A spring tradition in Ashland / City's annual curbside cleanup planned April 7 to May 2

Thursday

Mar 27, 2008 at 5:01 AM

By TRAVIS MINNEAR

T-G Staff Writer

Spring signifies different things to different people.

For some, it's a chance to get outside and enjoy nature. To others, it represents the opportunity for a much-needed vacation. But for the Ashland Street and Sanitation departments, it's time to clean up the city by hauling away residents' unwanted items that normally would cost extra for disposal.

The departments are teaming up for the city's annual Spring Cleanup program in which workers patrol Ashland for a month collecting undesired stuff from city residents.

"It's basically a time of year (when) we take four weeks, go around the whole city and pick up junk," said street department director Jerry Mack.

The yearly venture is a joint effort between the departments, said Curt Young, director of water and sanitation. Street employees do the labor and sanitation provides trucks while paying disposal fees.

"That's how it's been done for several years now," Young said.

This year's collections begin April 7. The program splits Ashland into four sections, with each receiving a week's worth of attention.

Crews initially will focus on the city's northeast quadrant April 7-11 with employees working in the southeast quarter of the city April 14-18. Then comes the southwest section April 21-25 with collections running in the northwest portion April 28 to May 2.

In the last two years, crews have picked up more than 500 tons of material, Mack said.

The street department collects a variety of stuff from city lawns during Spring Cleanup. Mack said examples of acceptable items include microwaves, dishwashers, washers, dryers, furnaces and hot water heaters.

However, Mack said, city workers will not take everything. Electronics, including computers, copiers and fax machines should be taken to the Ashland County Recycling Center. There is a fee for this service.

Arrangements for disposal of yard waste and items containing freon can be made by calling the sanitation department at 419-289-8728. To obtain information about brush clipping disposal, residents should contact the city arborist at 419-289-8239 or 419-289-8247.

Ramona Morrison, a resident

who recently moved to Ashland, said she is interested in the program. An avid recycler, Morrison said she believes Spring Cleanup is an important environmental service because it allows items to be disposed of properly.

Morrison also said she thinks the city's policy allowing residents to take Spring Cleanup items is a good idea.

"I know a lot of people go through and pick what they want, so that's a nice thing, too," Morrison said. "If someone needs something, they get it."

Mack emphasized the importance of cooperation between the city and residents to make Spring Cleanup a success. He said people should not put Spring Cleanup items out for crews earlier than the Friday before their quadrant's week begins, but should make sure to have everything out by 7 a.m. on the Monday of their neighborhood's week.

Individual property owners will be billed if they put items out early, late or if residents leave more than about 3 cubic yards -- approximately one pickup truck load -- for crews to collect, Mack said. It's also necessary for residents to make sure Spring Cleanup items are separated from garbage left for the sanitation department.

He said taking these measures will ensure speedy, efficient pickup because employees have limited time to finish the job.

"We need to get it done in a week because we're moving to another section the next week," Mack said.

For more information, call the Ashland Street Department at 419-289-9791.